Security Science and Technology at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

This undergraduate certificate comes with significant red flags that parents should understand upfront. While UW-Milwaukee's program ranks at the 60th percentile within Wisconsin, that's only because there's one other program in the state—and this one still produces earnings nearly $5,000 below the national median. More concerning, graduates carry $28,000 in debt that places them in the 95th percentile nationally, meaning almost no other security certificate programs leave students with this much to repay.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 translates to graduates owing more than half their first-year salary, which creates real strain on a $46,673 income. For comparison, the national median for this field is over $51,000, so UW-Milwaukee students are earning less while borrowing more than their peers elsewhere. At 5th percentile nationally for earnings, this program ranks among the lowest-performing security certificates in the country.

The very small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically, but the current data shows a certificate that costs as much as many associate degrees while delivering earnings at the lower end of what's typical for the field. Unless this is part of a broader plan toward additional credentials or there are unique career connections in Milwaukee, families should explore whether other pathways into security work—including direct hiring or certificates with less debt—might make more financial sense.